Good News Bible Anglicised

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 13:6-13 Good News Bible Anglicised (GNBDC)

6. If he needs you, he will trick you with his smiles and cheerful, kindly words. “Do you need anything?” he will ask.

7. He will feed you until you are embarrassed. Finally, when he has drained you two or three times over, he will laugh at you. If you see him later, he will pretend he doesn't know you, and will pass you by.

8. Be careful not to be misled; you can be enjoying yourself and suddenly find yourself humiliated.

9. If you are invited to the home of someone influential, be reserved in your behaviour. Then he will invite you more often.

10. If you push yourself on him, he will put you in your place. On the other hand, if you keep your distance from him, he will forget about you.

11. Don't pretend to be his equal or trust everything he says. In spite of all his long and polite conversation, he is testing you.

12. If a person does not keep confidences, he is cruel; he will not hesitate to hurt you or have you put in jail.

13. Keep your secrets to yourself and be very careful, for you are always walking on dangerous ground.